Submitted Photo The Town of Arkwright Highway Department pulled out all the stops to address recent heavy snowfall, including the use of a 75-year-old rotary plow

ARKWRIGHT — Town Supervisor Brian McAvoy referred to recent winter storms in the area as a “snow-nami,” as the Town battled to keep its hilly roads clear for residents to safely travel.

At a recent meeting, McAvoy expressed his thanks to the first responders and Highway Department workers for their efforts, as several residents of the Town sustained substantial property damage. McAvoy highlighted that the Town’s neighbors provided labor and equipment to rescue trapped cattle when a barn collapsed, as well as one neighbor providing temporary housing for a family impacted by the storm.

On behalf of the Town, McAvoy also thanked Lisa Waldron, Highway Superintendent, Ed Pagano, zoning officer, and Erica Munson, assessor, for their ongoing assistance to those who have been impacted.

The Highway Department worked long hours because of the storm, without fail, as additional equipment has been put into service this year. The Town’s grader has been fitted with a wing to push back banks, and even a 75-year-old rotary plow has been utilized.

McAvoy stated there is a measure of personal responsibility required for the Town to be able to assist its residents. McAvoy himself even helped two young motorists off of a Town road as their vehicle was not prepared to handle the road conditions.

McAvoy stated, “A plowed Arkwright road doesn’t necessarily mean a bare Arkwright road, and coming into Arkwright low on gas with summer tires maybe isn’t a good idea.”

Among the other points McAvoy made is that it is a resident’s responsibility to clear snow that is left across a roadway after plowing that could present a safety concern. Additionally, the Town is not held responsible for plow damage to mailboxes.

The Town also noted that most residents have been understanding and appreciative of the work that has been done. McAvoy and Waldron will be working on securing an alert system for residents, likely text-based, on an optional basis.

With residents suffering property damage, the Town stressed that a demolition permit is necessary in order to remove any structure from the tax roll. That permit must be filed with the Zoning Officer. Once received, the structure can come off of the roll after March 1, with letters to the property owners being sent in early May when the preliminary roll is due.

As required by law, the Town will convene a Board of Assessment review meeting in late May where any grievance can be presented before a board of peers. The final roll is due June 1, and the first tax bill not including the demolished structure will be the fall School Tax bill.

New buildings will be treated as new, on their own merit, and will be on the tax roll the following March. If the building is agricultural, a new agricultural exemption would be applicable.

Also related to Arkwright structures, the Town has received proposals for a replacement Town Hall design. McAvoy stated that based off rough estimates, he believes the improvements can be accomplished in 2025. Now that the Highway Department addition has been completed, the Town will focus on its Town Hall.